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Resilient structurally coupled and electrically independent electrodes

  • US 5,397,342 A
  • Filed: 06/07/1993
  • Issued: 03/14/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A body implantable device for conducting tissue stimulation pulses generated by an electrical pulse generator, including:

  • an electrode array comprising a resilient, elongate and electrically conductive first electrode;

    an elongate resilient and electrically conductive second electrode; and

    an electrically insulative connecting means for securing the first and second electrodes relative to one another, said electrode array tending to assume a loop configuration when in a relaxed state, each of the first and second electrodes having an exterior surface exposed over a majority of the electrode length and being electrically isolated from the other electrode when the electrode array is in the loop configuration;

    an elongate and flexible first conductor having a distal end portion electrically coupled to the first electrode and a proximal end adapted for coupling to an electrical pulse generator, for conducting electrical pulses between the pulse generator and the first electrode;

    an elongate and flexible second conductor having a distal end region electrically coupled to the second electrode and a proximal end adapted for coupling to the pulse generator, for conducting electrical pulses between the pulse generator and the second electrode, said first and second conductors being electrically isolated from one another;

    an electrode deployment means operatively associated with the electrode array for confining the electrode array elastically compressed against a restoring force in a delivery configuration to facilitate a body insertion and delivery of the electrode array to a predetermined stimulation site within the body, the deployment means being controllable from along a proximal region of the first and second conductors to effect a release of the electrode array at the stimulation site, whereupon the electrode array returns to the loop configuration under the restoring force; and

    a control means coupled to the electrode array for selectively elastically deforming the electrode array, after said release, out of the loop configuration and into an implant configuration in which the first and second electrodes remain electrically isolated from one another.

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